10/2/13 to 10/8/13

Dear Students  and Families,  We will be practicing and expanding our skeletal vocabulary and promote reading as well, via our " Mr. Bones " activity.  "No Bones about it" - we're building strong frameworks and minds in P.E. class and we support all "good sports!"  We're on a roll with some cageball fun. We,ve been working on throwing accuracy with most classes.  Cooperation with teams is the theme and as always, physical fitness is part of the scene.  We are finishing up our running tests and some re-tests, too. We will be including scooter work as part of our skills stations practice.( FUN!)  Our youngest students will soon participate in a "Spiders" movement and listening activity incorporating the crab walk, while they "travel" along a special pathway.    Students,please exercise outside of school and encourage others, too. Bring your sneakers and smiles to your next gym class!  See you soon,   Sincerely, Miss Brill

9/18/13 to 10/1/13

   Hi Good Sports!   Please wear your sneakers, as we will continue our running test.  While I do fitness testing, students will be able to practice at various skills stations for self-improvement and good exercise .We usually include a variety of vocabulary words that are relevant to our lessons through-out the year, as well as to "real-life" lessons and useful toward positive interactions in the gym. Our vocabulary word during this  Flag Tag unit is "accurate", , as we will be practicing a football throw at targets for K-2 and doing a file relay for passing and receiving for 3-6.  Then we'll get ready for some great  "Flag Tag" action, where students will have opportunities to evaluate their performance in all age groups and our older students will be be able to choose whether they're on offense or defense or both.  Come join me when I am able to do a walking club and always participate with me on Fitness Friday to get your day off to a good start.  Keep exercising !    See you soon!  Do a great job at the Pep Rally and Go Spartans!!!   Sincerely,   Miss Brill

9/11/13 to 9/17/13

Hi Good Sports!   Please remember to wear your sneakers, as we have begun our Physical Fitness test for running and agility.  Kindergarten will be doing the "Dash" and 1st-6th grades will be doing the "Shuttle Run" with the total distance being covered=120 ft.  Adaptations will be made as needed in all activities and we will compare previous results as able seeking individual improvement.    For homework for our youngest students, practice tying shoelaces with a grown-up or older brother or sister.There are some great helpers in our classes who help assist me with that task until the others are able to tie.  "Thank you" to all kind helpers!      We have incorporated various skills stations, where students take turns practicing  different skills, challenging themselves, improving skills, and evaluating their efforts.    We've had some Walking Clubs at recess time, thus far and we'll continue our "Fitness Friday" activity to ENERGIZE all of the students and staff!     This week, we are participating in Parachute Activities,which is a great teaching tool for students to experience cooperative efforts, A.K.A. TEAMWORK!!!      We have our "10 point" contest going on, which is a "class/group" contest for best class behaviors, participation, and cooperative efforts.If a class earns all 10's, they'll receive treats at the end of the marking period.  I'm always happy to provide rewards to those classes earning them!  Individual efforts are rewarded at report card time.      For homework-KEEP EXERCISING everyone!   See you soon!          Sincerely,  Miss Brill

8/26/13 to 8/30/13 and 9/3/13 to 9/9/13, Inclusive

  Hi Parents and welcome back Good Sports!  I hope you had a great summer with fun activities included.  I'm looking forward to a great school year with my students in P.E. Class.  Wear your sneakers and bring those great smiles along with you. . We will discuss our rules, get organized , and work together as a Gym Team reaching for good goals while fine-tuning many skills in a positive environment with all our " Good Sports."   "Fitness Friday" is a fun way to get moving,when the whole school starts their day with exercise.  We know regular exercise boosts academic performance, produces a sense of well-being, and of course staying in shape!  When my schedule allows, a few Walking Clubs may be possible during some recess times. During  these first two cycles we will be participating in special tag games which help you get great exercise, develop running or other locomotor skills as directed; develop dodgingand proper tagging skills, body control, game and safety rules; honesty and good sportsmanship and of course, it's fun!  These activities will help prepare us for our first Physical Fitness Test for running .  We will make adaptations as needed for any and all activities at all times.   We are always engaged in "real-life" skill practice with there being a different Leader Squad to help out each week demonstrating responsibility ,assistance with jobs, and leadership. Way to go for GREAT HELPERS !  I look forward to our physical education classes togetherIn the meantime, KEEP EXERCISING !  See you in your next gym class!   Sincerely, Miss Brill

January/February/early March, 2013

Hi Good Sports and families:
     Let's re-cap what we've been up to in P.E. Class.  We've had our popular "Kid's Choice" Activity where students vote and choose a game or activity they really enjoy.  We do this at least once every marking period.
     As always, we continue Physical Fitness Testing and offer re-tests when needed.  We had been working on the "Seal Crawl" for K-2 and the "Isometric Push-up" for 3-6, testing upper body strength.  In February, we began our "Isometric Leg Squat" for 1-6, more commonly known as the infamous "Air Chair", testing leg strength/muscle endurance.
     We have a variety of skills stations including those skills which would be needed and incorporated into the unit/particular lesson. Some stations are just for fun and good practice!
     Our K-2 students had review of locomotor skills/animal stunts in a fun activity, as well as playing a game supporting character-building and good manners.  They also enjoyed great relay action, while each team worked cooperatively to build a "Snowman."  We reviewed basic math shapes, which were a part of our "Snowman."
     All classes practiced ball-handling and dribbling and basket  shots and our 3-6 graders began their Basketball Unit using their dribbling skills in our "Giant Jacks" activity.  Later, our3-6 graders went "bonkers" for a basket shooting game with helpers as scorekeepers using tally scoring and all enjoying friendly competition.  Lastly, we concluded our 3-6 unit with a regular Basketball game with student referees and all!  (Rule-no arguing with the refs!!).
   In the meantime, ourK-2 students had been working on their bowling skills and ball handling, as well as basket shooting and we integrated these skills into our Super Bowling activity.  What fun!
     Next, students practiced various jumping skills with jumpropes and jump bands and were shown and some used a home-made Chinese jumprope( which is what we played with when I was young!)   We practiced a variety of skills to prepare for our JUMPROPE for HEART Activity, including Tinikling,(Philippine stick dance), using the jump bands.  By the way, everyone did an awesome job and you are all so generous and have very kind hearts!  THANK YOU!!!
     We are always promoting exercising for good life-long health and fostering real-life skills  We also had some Holiday-themed action for x-tra fun!  All students have been working on Bowling skills.
     Since February is Heart Month and we want healthy hearts, students were invited to take a Fitness Challenge/Circuit Training Course, where they learned facts about the Heart and circulation system, lung power, cholesterol, and so on.  Students were timed and later reported how many times they went around the course and all were rewarded with a heart or smile sticker and a heart candy. 
     We concluded the month with a "TAE BO-JR." work-out promoting physical fitness and goo life-long goals and showing that there are a variety of options to stay in shape.  There is an activity for everyone to get involved in and to enjoy!
     As always, adaptations are in place as needed for any and all students requiring them.
     As a big fitness unit all year, we do our Fitness Friday activity almost every week in order to promote exercising for the entire school and staff.  On Friday, March 1st, it was fun to promote Dr. Seuss and Reading while working out.  Keep Reading and keep Exercising!  Go NSE Team!  See you soon in the gym!!!
                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                                                     Miss Brill

12/7/12 to 1/1/13

Dear Good Sports,    We will finish up our test for leg strength and will soon begin our test for upper body strength.  Our K-2 classes will do the "Seal Crawl" and our 3-6 classes will perform the "Isometric Push-up."  We will always make adaptations as needed for all tests and activities in P.E. Class.  We will be working on throwing, blocking, and team cooperation skills.  We will participate in "The 12 days of gym class," a fun rhythmical activity.  We will work on our jumprope/jumpband/ chinese jumprope activities, as well as other skills at our skills stations.  We will always be flexible for gym usage and help where needed.  We will always cover our basic fundamental skills while adding fun twists to engage students to be interested in our physical activities and enjoy the process during the Holiday season and at all times.  I am always happy for our school to participate in our Fitness Friday activity and I've asked our students to exercise over the break with family and friends.  I wish for all P.E. students and their families to have a very Happy Holiday season and to set goals for a very Healthy and Happy New Year, 2013!  Always wishing you the best! Sincerely, Miss Brill